Manufacture of thread or the like



Nov. 15, 1938. H. a KLINE 29136135559 MANUFACTURE OF THREAD OR THE LIKEFiled March 26, 193-5- 2 Shgaets-Shcet 1 Q I 39 l 11w EN TOR HAYDEN B.KLINE C ZLZMQ Wwm ATTOIfNEY Nov; 15,1938. H. B. KLINE MANUFACTURE OFTHREAD on THE LIKE Filed March 26, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HAYDENB. KLINE v ATTORNEY Patented Nov.'15, 1938 UNITED STATES MANUFACTURE OFTHREAD OR THE LIKE Hayden B. Kline, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor toIndustrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of DelawareApplication March 26, 1936, Serial No. 71,020

g 3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of thread or thelike.

Broadly speaking, the invention is directed to apparatus comprising atrough containing liquid coagulant in which thread or the like, such,for example, as artificial silk thread or the like, is formed by aprocess of extrusion from a spinning nozzle; a thread-storage,thread-advancing device disposed above the trough with its receiving endgenerally over the trough and its discharge end extending beyond thelateral limits of said trough; and suitable takeup means; e. g., one ormore thread-slaw thread-advancing devices to which the thread or thelike passes from said first mentioned thread-storage,

thread-advancing device and on'which the thread or the like is subjectedto processing treatment. The invention is well adapted to employment inapparatus-for the manufacture of thread or the like, such as artificialsilk thread or the like, of the general type of that shown, claimed anddescribed in prior application Serial No. 7,114, filed February 18,1935, by Walter F. Knebusch and. Alden I-I. Burkholder.

In the drawings, forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is a sectionalelevation, from line I-l of Figure 3, of a'portion of continue apparatusembodying the invention, Figure 2 is an elevation from line 2-2 ofFigure 1 showing the working face of the trough, together with theapparatus associated with said trough, parts being shown as broken away.Figure 3 is an elevation from line 3-3 of Figure 1 of the. apparatus.Figure 4 is an end elevation of one form of thread-storage,

thread-advancing device which may be employed in apparatus embodying thepresent invention. Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation fromline 5-5 of 'Figure 4 of the thread-storage, thread-advancing device ofFigure 4. In the drawings,- like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout.

While the apparatus is capable of use in the manufacture of variouskinds of thread or the like, as, for example, viscose, cuprammonium,nitrocellulose, or cellulose acetate artificial silk thread, it will bedescribed hereinafter as applied to the manufacture by a continuousprocess of multiple filament viscose artificial silk thread.

In the apparatus illustrated, the thread I is formed by extrusion ofviscose from the spinning nozzle 2 immersed in the liquid coagulatingbath 3 contained in the longitudinally extending trough 4. The threadpasses upward out of the bath 3 through guide 5 to the thread-storage,thread-advancing device 6 disposed above the The thread storage,thread-advancing device 6 I is preferably of a type adapted by theaction of the elements thereof to-store and advance the thread axiallythereof in a plurality of generally helical turns, and, as shown, may beof canti-- lever form; i. e., supported and driven from one end only,the other end being free and unobstructed. According to the presentinvention, the thread-storage, thread-advancing device 6 is disposedabove the trough 4 with its thread-receiving end located generally overthe spinning nozzle 2 and itsthread discharge end located beyond thelateral limits of the trough 4. In the embodiment shown, thethread-storage, thread-- advancing device 6 is of cantilever form anddisposed with its thread-receiving end directly over the spinning nozzleand with its discharge end beyond the lateral limits of trough 4 asdefinedby wall 13. The thread-storage, thread-advancing device 6 isshown as mounted with its free end extending away from the working faceof trough 4, defined as that face of the trough from which access may behad to the spinning nozzles, spinning pumps, etc., by an operator who,in the apparatus shown, may stand on platform I l.

The thread is withdrawn from the spinning nozzle 2 by thethread-storage, thread-advancing 6 and advanced thereby away from theworking face of the trough to a point past the lateral limits of thetrough, from which point it is withdrawn by a suitable device, as asucceeding thread-storage, thread-advancing device. If desired, noprocessing medium is applied to the thread while it is stored on thethread-storage, thread-advancing device 6 which may, under thesecircumstances, provide an additional period for coagulation of thethread before it is passed to a succeeding device, in addition to,performing j the functions of withdrawing the thread from the spinningnozzle in the coagulating bath and passing it to the succeeding device.

The thread-storage, thread-advancing device 6, as well asthread-storage, thread-advancing devices 8 to II of theapparatus shownmay, if

desired, take the form of reels of the form illustrated in Figures 4 and5.

This reel is of a type similar to the reel shown, described and claimedin a prior application, Serial No. 652,089 entitled Winding reel filedJanuary 16, 1933, by' Walter F. Knebusch, to which reference may be hadif desired. From Figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that each reel comprisestwo rigid, generally cylindrical members l5 and I6. Member 5, which maybe termed the concentric member, is mounted concentrically upon and forrotation with drive shaft I1 and has its periphery comprised of aplurality of bar members l8. Member l6, which may be termed theeccentric member, is rotatably mounted with its axis slightly offsetfrom and askew to that of concentric member l5 and has its peripherycomprised of a plurality of bar members l9 equal in number 'to barmembers I8 and alternately disposed therewith.

Concentric member 5 may be formed as shown, having the bar members l8formed on the periphery of a hollow cylindrical body 2|, in which casegreat rigidity is imparted to the bar members I8. While member l5 may bemounted on the drive shaft H in various manners, in that shown it isheld against shoulder 22 formed on drive shaft H by cap-nut 23 which isthreaded on the end of reel driveshaft H. Member I5 is caused to rotatewith the drive shaft H by means of a pin 24 through the shaft H, theprojecting ends of which pin extend into a slot 25 formed in the hub 26of concentric member |5. The projecting end of the drive shaft I1 andthe nut 23 are thus contained within the body 2| of member l5 andtherefore protected from any processing liquids which may be used.

The bar members l9 of eccentric member l6 may be provided at their outerends with annular reinforcing rib 21, and may be supported. from aring-like portion 28 at their inner ends. Eccentric member [6 may thusconstitute an extremely rigid, generally cylindrical, cage-like member29 mounted on a rigid annular supporting member 3|, as by bolts 32.Annular supporting member 3| is rotatably supported in offset and askewposition with respect to the axis of concentric member |5 by beingmounted in the desired position on frame member 33, the shaft |1 beingjournalled in or otherwise supported in correct relationship with framemember 33. The bushing 34 may be provided in annular supporting member3| to act as a bearing if desired. Flexible sealing means 35 may befurnished if desired to prevent corrosion of the bearing members.

Rotation of the reel drive shaft |1 causes concentric member |5 fixedthereto to rotate, whereby contact of bar members I8 of concentricmember l5 with bar members IQ of eccentric member |6 causes saideccentric member to rotate at the same angular speed. During suchrotation, the offset relation with the generally cylindrical members |5and |6 causes the thread to transfer from the bar members of onegenerally cylindrical member to the bar members of the other generallycylindrical member. At the same time, the askew relationship of saidgenerally cylindrical members causes the thread to advance in aplurality of spaced, generally helical turns.

While the reels 6 may be'mounted in various ways in the desired positionabove the trough 4, in the arrangement shown each reel 6 is supported bya bracket 36 on which is mounted reel frame member 33. The brackets 36are mounted on a horizontal frame member 31 which extends longitudinallyabove the trough 4 and is supported by vertical columns 38. Each reel 6in the apparatus shown is rotated by a bevel gear 39 mounted on thedrive shaft H of the reel, which is driven by a bevel gear 4| fixed tothe short shaft 42 journalled in a bearing member 43 supported bybracket 36, to which short shaft 42 is fixed a helical gear 44 driven bya helical gear 45. The helical gears 45 for the reels 6 are adapted tobe rotated by a shaft 46 extending along the frame member 31longitudinally of the trough 4.

It has been found desirable to provide means for stopping each of thereels 6 independently of the others; therefore in the apparatusillustrated clutch means are provided to disconnect each of the reels 6from the drive shaft 46. For this purpose, each helical gear 45 isrotatably mounted on drive shaft 46 and has mounted on it a clutchmember 41 which is adapted to be engaged by a clutch member 48 slidablymounted for rotation with shaft 46. Clutch member 48 is engaged withclutch member 41 by a handle lever 49 which operates the shifter fork 5|disposed in the groove 52 of clutch member 48. It is apparent fromFigures 2 and 3 that the manner shown of mounting and driving the reels6 provides space between these reels, which is advantageous when it isdesired to thread up or start the thread on the reels 6 or for othermanipulation of the thread thereon.

The shaft 46 is driven by chain 53 which is driven by sprocket 54adapted to be rotated by means of a sprocket 55 which is driven by achain 56from a suitable source of power. The pump drive shaft 51 for thespinning pumps 58 may also be driven from sprocket 55 and chain 56. Ifdesired suitable change speed mechanism (not shown) may be provided toadjust the speed of the pump drive shaft 51 with respect to the reels 6and/or sprocket 55. It can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, thatthe reels 6 are rotated in timed relation with the pump drive shaft 51,thus providing a constant take-up of the thread formed by extrusion ofviscose through spinning nozzle 2 by the corresponding spinning pump 58,thus providing uniformity of the thread. The spinning pumps 58 may bemounted in a conventional manner on a viscose supply conduit 59 anddriven from drive shaft 51 through suitablegears, each pump 58communicating with its corresponding mass tube 6| on which is supporteda spinning nozzle 2.

While the thread-storage, thread-advancing devices 8 to Il may be of anysuitable form and arranged in any one of various ways, they have beenshown as being of cantilever form and disposed in an arrangement similarto that described in said prior Knebusch and Burkholder application, inwhich they are shown as disposed in a plurality of conjugated verticalseries. In each vertical series the thread-storage, threadadvancingreels are disposed in stepped arrangement with the thread receiving endof each reel adjacent the thread discharge end of the preceding reel,the open ends of the reels all facing an operator who may gain accessthereto as from a ladder 63 which may be adapted for sliding movementalong the face of the machine. This arrangement of the reels 8 to IIprovides advantages in allowing access to these reels for starting thethread thereon, inspection, repair, etc. In addition, the reels inadjacent vertical series may be disposed in corresponding positions,thus propositions in adjacent vertical series.

While more than one processing treatment may be applied to the thread oneach of reels 8 to I I, inclusive, in the apparatus shown the thread issubjected to a single liquid processing treat ment on each reel. In thecase of viscose thread, the thread may be desulphurized on reel 8,washed on reel 9, bleached on reel I0, washed on reel l, etc. the threadon each reel from a reagent distributor 64 positioned above the reel,said reagent distributor being supplied from a conduit 65 which mayextend longitudinally of the machine and serve like reels in ahorizontal series. The processing liquid may be collected in a trough 66beneath each reel, which trough may likewise extend longitudinally ofthe machine and serve all corresponding reels of a horizontal series.The drain from each of the troughs 68 may communicate with a sewer inthe case of liquids which it is desired to use only once, such as washwater, or with makeup and recirculating systems in the case of liquidswhich it is desired to re-use.

In the apparatus shown, each of the reels 8 to II, inclusive, in asingle vertical series is driven from an inclined shaft 61 through gears68, 69. Each of the shafts 61 is mounted along the inclined/beam 10 onwhich are mounted the brackets H which support reels 8 to II, inclusive.Shafts 81 may be driven by a suitable driving means common to all, whichmeans may also drive the chain 58, from which the drive shaft 46 for thereels 6 and the'pump drive shaft 5'! are driven. By such an arrangement,all of the elements of the apparatus concerned in the manui'acture andprocessing of thread, such as pump 68, reel 6 and reels 8 to l I, may bedriven in timed relation.

It is apparent that various modifications may be made in the apparatusillustrated without in any way departing from the spirit oi the invention. For instance, the invention is not restricted to employment of theparticular type of threadstorage, thread-advancing device illustrated,since thread-storage, thread-advancing devices of other types may beused either -for reel 6 or in place of reels 8 to II, etc. It isintended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in theappended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty reside in theinvention. a

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising acoagulating trough; a spinning nozzle in said coagulating trough; athreadstorage, thread-advancing device of cantilever form adapted toadvance thread or the like toward the unsupported end thereof in aplurality of closely spaced, generally helical turns'to whichthread-storage, thread-advancing device the thread or the like proceedsfrom said spinning The processing liquid may be supplied to.

nozzle, said thread-storage, thread-advancing device being mounteddirectly above said coagulating trough with its supported end sodisposed with respect to said spinning nozzle that the path of thethread or the like from said spinning nozzle to said thread-storage,thread-advancing device is substantially vertical and with itsunsupported end extending beyond the lateral limits of said coagulatingtrough; and take-up means disposed below the level of the liquid in saidcoagulating trough to which the thread or the like proceeds from theunsupported end of said thread-storage, thread-advancing device.

'2. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the likecomprising acoagulating trough; a spinning nozzle in said coagulating trough; athread-storage, thread-advancing device of cantilever form adapted toadvance thread or the like toward the unsupported end thereof in aplurality ofclosely spaced, generally helical turns to whichthread-storage, thread-advancing device the thread or the like proceedsfrom said spinning nozzle, said thread-storage, thread-advancing devicebeing so disposed with respect to said coagulating trough that, althoughthe unsupported end of said thread-storage, threadadvancing deviceextends beyond the lateral limits of said coagulating trough, saidthread-storage, thread-advancing device as a whole overlies saidcoagulating trough, whereby coagulating liquid carried up by the threador the like can drip from said thread-storage, thread-advancing devicedirectly into said coagulating trough; and take-up means disposed belowthe level of the liquid in said coagulating trough to which the threador the like proceeds from the unsupported end of said thread-storage,thread-advancing device.

3. Apparatus for the manufacture of thread or the like comprising acoagulating trough; a spinning nozzle in said coagulating trough; athread-storage, thread-advancing device of cantilever form adapted toadvance thread or the like toward the free end thereof in a plurality ofclosely spaced, generally helical turns to which thread-storage,thread-advancing device the thread or the like proceeds from saidspinning nozzle, said thread-storage, thread-advancing device being sodisposed with respect to said coagulating trough that between saidspinning nozzle and the supported end of said thread-storage,

thread-advancing device the path of the thread or the like is alwayswithin the lateral limits of said coagulating trough and upon dischargeof the thread or the like from the unsupported end of saidthread-storage, thread-advancing device the path of the thread or thelike is always outside the lateral limits of said coagulating trough;and

take-up means disposed below the level of theliquid in said coagulatingtrough to which the thread or the like proceeds from the unsupported endor said thread-storage, thread-advancing device.

HAYDEN B. KLINE.

